The Effects of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Hearing Loss: Preliminary Report

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ABSTRACT
Introduction: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic
inflammation that can cause systemic manifestations. Auditory
system can also be affected by this disease. Sensorineural and
conductive hearing loss have been reported but the results
remain controversial.
Aim: The aim of this study was to find out the correlation
between RA and hearing loss.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional, analytical,
and prospective study included 19 subjects with RA and 19
subjects with other joints disease as comparison from January
to June 2015. Pure tone audiometry and tympanometry
examinations were conducted for all subjects. Pearson Chisquare
test was used to analyse the correlation between RA
and hearing impairment as well as the correlation between
diseases duration, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), and
platelet count; and hearing threshold. Independent samples
t-test was used to analyse the difference in mean of air and
bone conduction thresholds, air-bone gap values, as well as
hearing thresholds in both groups.
Results: Hearing impairment was 78.9% in RA group and 21.1%
in comparison group (p<0.05). Sensorineural hearing loss was
the most common finding in RA (52.6%). There were significant
correlations of disease duration and ESR with hearing loss
degree in RA (p<0.05). The significant difference was obtained
in air-bone gap values at 500 Hz to 4000 Hz (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Rheumatoid arthritis can cause hearing loss.